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GEAR UP in Cedar Hill ISD
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GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. In October 2017 the federal program gave CHISD $6.3 million for the district's class of 2023 and 2024. The GEAR UP Program is a discretionary grant program that provides funding for academic and related support services to prepare scholars for and succeed in postsecondary education.
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How will it help?
High School campuses will experience improved sustainability and increase academic progress. Parents will be well informed and students will be college and career ready when they graduate high school.
Some of the program’s target outcomes:
- 80 percent of students will complete two years of math beyond Algebra I by the 12th grade.
- 95 percent of students will complete the SAT and ACT by the end of the 11th grade.
- 100 percent of students will complete the financial aid application by the end of their first semester of 12th grade.
- 85 percent of students will enroll in postsecondary education immediately following high school.
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How does it work?
The funds follow all students in the class of 2023 and 2024 through their first year of college to help them improve academic achievement, and ensure high school graduation and college enrollment. The funds are used to serve scholar, parent, and staff development.
The district uses the money in several areas:
- New college readiness staff
- College entrance exam preparation
- College financial planning and preparation for families
- Career surveys, planning
- College prep & career course alignment
- Summer enrichment camps
- Career shadowing
- New technology
- College campus visits for parents and scholars
- FAFSA assistance
- Tutoring and after-school academic success skills programs
- Leadership training
- Study skills courses
- Individualized counseling/mentoring
Parents will receive regular updates on program offerings and achievements.
CHISD staff receives training, additional classroom support, and supplemental purchases of STEM-based equipment. Educators use the college readiness teaching techniques with upcoming grade levels, benefiting more than just the scholars who are a part of the current GEAR UP program.